Whether you call this a gluten free meatball sub or, as we New Englanders like to say, a gluten free meatball grinder, one thing is for sure…this delicious, savory meatball submarine recipe will make an awesome meal! This delicious recipe can be made in about 15 minutes if you use store-bought gluten-free meatballs and 30 minutes using homemade ones.
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One of the things I love most about this recipe is the flavor. Whether you make homemade gluten free meatballs or you use frozen meatballs, the meatballs are slowly cooked in a tomato sauce. This infuses the sauce flavor into your meatballs, making them tender and perfect for a gluten free submarine sandwich!
For this gluten free meatball sub recipe, you can use homemade gluten free meatballs or gluten free frozen meatballs. Here are some of my favorite gluten free homemade pasta sauces and my favorite gluten free jarred sauces.
This recipe is great to make either on a stovetop or in your slow cooker. If you are looking for even more great dinner ideas, I have a ton of kid-approved family gluten free dinner recipes for you to browse!
Allergen Information:
This recipe is gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free. If you are dairy-free, use dairy-free parmesan cheese like the VioLife brand.
Are you ready to try this recipe? You will love all of the options to customize it based on the ingredients you have on hand.
Ingredient Notes:
For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.
- Gluten Free Meatballs – I include a list of recipes and gluten free store-bought options below.
- Sauce – Use a homemade sauce or store-bought pasta sauce. I list these below.
- Gluten Free Baguette – Schar and Against The Grain baguettes are the best. Heat them in the oven so they get crisp!
Step-By-Step Photos and Directions:
Grab or make your favorite sauce. Please choose how you want to cook these, add either raw or frozen meatballs, and cover them with sauce.
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See below for gluten free meatball recipes and gluten free sauce recipes!
Stovetop Method:
- Add the homemade or jarred sauce to a large pot to cook the meatballs in sauce on your stovetop.
- Add in the raw or frozen meatballs.
- Cover and bring to a boil.
- Turn the heat down to simmer and allow to cook for 45 minutes. Cooking this with low heat allows the flavors to penetrate the meatballs more.
Slow Cooker Method:
- Add your sauce and meatballs to a Crock Pot.
- Cover and turn on high and cook for 3-4 hours, or cook on low for 5-6 hours.
Homemade Pasta Sauces:
- I used this homemade gluten free marinara sauce to cook my meatballs in.
- If you prefer, you can use a homemade meat sauce like this ground pork Pasta Sauce, or this savory meat gluten free pasta sauce.
- If you prefer spicier meatballs, why not try this Fra Diavolo sauce?
What jarred pasta sauces are gluten free?
While most tomato-based pasta sauces are naturally gluten free, every now and then, I am surprised, so always read the labels to ensure the pasta sauce you choose is gluten free. My favorite gluten free jarred sauces are:
- Mezzetta
- Prego
- Barilla
- Newman’s Own
- Rao’s
What brands of frozen meatballs are gluten free?
There are several great gluten free brands of frozen meatballs. When I am in a hurry, frozen meatballs can save the day!! Here are some of my favorites:
- Aidelles makes gluten free meatballs in several flavors.
- Rosina makes one flavor of gluten free meatballs.
- Colameco makes wonderful gluten free meatballs. I found them at Whole Foods.
Frequently Asked Questions:
I used a gluten-free baguette by Against All Grain for this recipe. It was in the frozen section of my grocery store. You can also use Schar Baguettes in shelf-stable packaging in your grocery store’s bread or gluten-free section.
These meatballs should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last for up to 3 days.
You can freeze the meatballs, but I wouldn’t freeze the meatball sub because the bread will get too soggy.
What are some good gluten free meatball recipes?
- This zucchini ricotta meatballs recipe is not only gluten free, but it is also egg-free!
- Save some time using your air fryer to cook your meatballs. This is perfect for these gluten free chicken meatballs.
- My family loves these gluten-free sweet and sour meatballs.
- If you miss Ikea’s meatballs, this copycat gluten-free Swedish meatballs recipe tastes like the real thing!
- Here are 14 more delicious gluten free meatballs recipes to try.
Love This Recipe?
If you made and enjoyed this recipe, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a comment below. This will help others know this recipe is delicious. Thank you!
Ingredients
Method
- Stovetop method: In a large pot, add the sauce and either raw or frozen meatballs. Mix gently to cover the meatballs in sauce. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer and allow to slowly cook for 45 minutes.
- Slow cooker method: Add the sauce and meatballs to a slow cooker. Mix gently to cover the meatballs in sauce. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 4-5 hours.
- Take a gluten free baguette and slice down the length of the bagette. Cut it into 3 pieces keeping the tops and bottoms together.
- Fill each piece of baguette with 3 meatballs. Top with extra sauce, parmesan cheese, and sprinkle fresh basil on top.
- Optional: add a slice of mozzarella cheese to each sub on top of the meatalls. Cook under a broiler for 2 minutes to melt the cheese.
Nutrition
Notes
Nutritional Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!
This recipe was updated from an older June 2020 post with more recipe details.
This was excellent & quick and easy to prepare. A little messy to eat but worth it! I used Promise baguettes and they worked well. This will definitely be in our rotation!
I am so glad you tried this recipe, Nancy. Meatball subs can definitely be a little messy, but they are hard to resist for me. I am glad you are adding them to your rotation!
Thanks for this great GF meal idea! We are always on the lookout for new delicious ideas that comply with our dietary requirements. Nom nom.
I am really glad you want to try this Lisalia :-). Let me know how it turns out.
Love this GF version of the classic! Easy enough for a busy weeknight dinner and oh so comforting!
I am so glad you enjoyed it Jenn, thank you for letting me know.